Typically, if one of your chickens has feather loss, you spring into assessment mode to attempt to figure out the underlying cause. Is she molting, sick, or full of mites? However, this eclectic breed of chicken naturally has 50% fewer feathers than most standard chickens, so rest easy, there is nothing wrong with her.
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The last 2 pullets I got, Jane and Ann, are Naked Necks and I'm enjoying the hell out of them so much I think I'll stick to that breed.
I originally got them because they're a dual purpose breed. I figured after they quit laying, I'd just eat them. Waste not want not, right?
Yeah..... that ain't going to happen. My first mistake was naming them. Then I made pets out of them. They're so damned friendly it's not funny - when they see me coming they start jumping up and down and they've gotten to where they'll come up so I can stroke them, then they'll eat out of my hand while the two Leghorns are cowering in the far corner of the coop.
Kinda reminds me of the time my uncle got a couple of goats to keep the weeds down on his place. He figured he'd butcher them after they grew up, then get a couple more kids to replace them. He made the mistake of naming them Briggs and Stratton, then my cousins began playing with them. Those goats eventually died of old age.
My dad used to name his animals. His turkeys were "Thanksgiving" and "Christmas". He had no problem turning them in to dinner. The same went for his cattle, pigs, chickens, etc. I'm of the mind that every animal must be considered a potential meal, even the dogs, cats and horses. Don't forget, if it comes down to it they'll eat you.
ReplyDeleteIf it comes down to it, horses and cattle ain't generally carnivorous. They might eat the grass growing on your grave though.
DeleteIn a previous life, I acquired a rooster and bought 10 pullets for him. I built them all a chicken coop, while I waited for the pullets to mature; they were to be his harem. Long story short, to this day I do not eat chicken. I am grateful I did not also decide to raise sheep, pigs, goats or cows; otherwise I would be a vegan.
ReplyDeleteSoooooooooooooooooooooo, you're into "Poultry Husbandry", eh? Don't get caught at it!
ReplyDeleteDo not make pets of your food!!! grayman
ReplyDeleteMiss Kay (Phil Robertson's wife): "If it has a name, it's a pet. If it doesn't, it's dinner."
ReplyDeleteAs kids though, we had no problem asking at the dinner table: "Is this pot roast Charlie or Billy?"